The ‘unchecked spread’ of vape shops, betting shops and rogue businesses is set to be tackled by new government powers announced by the Prime Minister Andy Burnham. This drive to improve our high streets has been welcomed by Luke Campbell, the Reform UK Mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire.
He has, however, warned the Prime Minister that he now needs to be ‘braver’ in helping our region’s small businesses to thrive and warned policymakers in central government that it is time to “be serious” on growth.
“On every high street there has to be a balance on the types of shops or retail outlets available. While I understand we don’t want our high streets full of vape shops and betting shops, the government has to be much more imaginative than this. The real killer for high street businesses is business rates,” Mayor Campbell stated.
He explained that current business rates are prohibitive for small and independent businesses and the larger companies just opt-out of the town and city centres and build in out-of-town locations. “I have now lobbied two Prime Ministers so far and told them Mayors need to have control of how Business Rates are levied. The Mayor understands that this is a brave task for the Treasury to do, but if we are going to have healthy and varied cities and town centres people want to actually go to, then the government needs to be serious about it.”
Mayor Campbell welcomed Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s continued commitment to devolution and ensuring local people have more of a say on local decision-making: “When you compare the economies of other countries where there is more regional government, there is much more even growth and not the South East concentration of growth we have in the UK,” he said.
The challenges many young people face in finding good employment were also proving to be a challenge to Hull and East Yorkshire’s high streets, he said. “We have too many young people not in education or employment, too poor skills levels and too many people who have been out of work due to long-term health issues. Connect to Work is one of our new initiatives to start to change that,” Mayor Campbell stated.
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner said: “People know when their high street isn’t working for them. Whether it’s the vape shop or betting shops that’s opened with no say from locals, the shopfront that’s seen better days, or the sense that nobody’s in control.
“These problems have built up over years, but this government won’t leave councils and communities powerless to crackdown on everyday eyesores that blight our high streets. That’s why we’re giving local leaders the power to say no to what doesn’t belong on their high street, and the tools to fix it themselves.”
Empowering local people
The mission to improve the Hull and East Yorkshire’s high streets is a big mission and Mayor Campbell admits there is a long way to go. But he is hopeful that new powers to take more decisions locally will help to make things happen here in the region.
He added: “Being able to work with local people and hear what they want is something we have never had before. There is some great work going on – like the programmes that are happening with young people at Wenlock barracks – is just an example of local people wanting to change their futures and helping themselves to improve their lives.
“I am also pursuing Hull City Council’s original vision for a cruise terminal that they could not get over the line. I think a big vision like that could be transformational for our city and county. It’s a huge project, but the positive impact it could have on our residents, businesses could be amazing. It’s my job to try to supercharge projects like this. That’s the kind of thing a Mayoralty should be doing to attract growth and investment.”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said too many high streets have become unrecognisable after decades of decline. He explained the rapid rise of vape shops, betting shops and rogue operators have replaced the shops, services, and community spaces that people are crying out for.
“That’s not on. I said we would improve Britain’s high streets, and that’s exactly what we are starting to do. We’re putting communities back in control and giving local people a real say over what opens on their high street. Local councils will be given the powers they need to rein in unwanted shops and bring town centres back to life,” he said.
“High streets are the beating heart of local communities, but for too long Westminster has stood by while they have been in decline. This government is committed to restoring our high streets and bringing back hope across Britain.”
By: Paul Drury-Bradey, LDRS
